Illinois State Awards Five Doctorates in December

Illinois State University awarded December doctorates to the following five individuals.

Melanie Cox-Lagerstrom of Peoria earned her Ed.D in Special Education.  The title of her dissertation is "A Comparison of Journeys: Follow the Flexible Road."  The daughter of Peg and Ken Cox of Eliza, Ill., and wife of Ron Lagerstrom of Peoria, Cox-Lagerstrom is a special services coordinator at Princeville Community Unit School District #326.  She received her bachelor's degree in psychology, her master's degree in school psychology and her specialist in school psychology from Western Illinois University.  Cox-Lagerstrom is a member of the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education, National Association of School Psychologists, Illinois School Psychology Association, Council for Exceptional Children and Kappa Delta Pi.

Mary Davis of Dunlap received her Ph.D. in Educational Administration.  She is the daughter of Betty Davis of Sturgis, Ky. and the late Charles Davis.  Davis is an academic officer and assistant superintendent of the Peoria Public Schools.  She received her master's degree from Illinois State University.

Nancy Gardner of Iowa City, Iowa, received her Ed.D. in Educational Administration.  Her dissertation is titled "Perspectives in Successfully Implementing and Sustaining Dual-Language Programs in Rural Iowa."  The wife of Scott Gardner of Iowa City, Gardner is an elementary principal at West Liberty Schools.  She received her bachelor's degree in special education from William Woods University, her master's degree in special education from the University of Iowa and her Ed.S. in administration from Drake University.  Gardner is a member of the School Administrators of Iowa and the National Association of Elementary Principals.  She was named the Iowa Elementary Principal of the Year in 2008.

Gina McConoughey of Dunlap received her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.  Her dissertation is titled "Intern Perceptions: How New College Graduates in the Workplace Perceive their Undergraduate Internship Experience."  The daughter of Joanne and Eugene Boppart of Harvard and wife of Jim McConoughey of Peoria, McConoughey is an associate professor of business at Illinois Central College in East Peoria.   She received her master's degree in adult education from Northern Illinois University.

Darryl Taylor of Rock Island received his Ed.D. in Educational Administration.  His dissertation is titled "High-Stakes Testing in Schools: What Perceived Revisions to State Assessment Systems Are Needed to Improve Achievement?"  The son of Catherine and Isaac Taylor of Chicago and husband of Venessa Taylor of Rock Island, Taylor is superintendent of Lincoln ESD 156 in Calumet City.  He received his Ed.S. from Western Illinois University.  Taylor is a member of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, American Association of School Administrators, Illinois Association of School Business Officials and the International Association of Lions Club.